U.S. patent number 5,066,281 [Application Number 07/498,957] was granted by the patent office on 1991-11-19 for disposable syringe apparatus with retractable needle, locking device and cap device.
Invention is credited to Deborah G. C. Stevenson-Michener.
United States Patent |
5,066,281 |
Stevenson-Michener |
November 19, 1991 |
Disposable syringe apparatus with retractable needle, locking
device and cap device
Abstract
A disposable syringe apparatus with retractable body entering
conduit which reduces the frequency of accidental needle strikes to
health care workers and prevents health-threatening reuse of the
syringe by drug abusers. The device includes a cylinder having an
open proximal end, a closed distal end, and a body entering conduit
projecting through the distal end. A piston assembly is included
having a member at its distal end for engaging the aperture at the
proximal end of the body entering conduit following expulsion of
fluid materials. The piston is then withdrawn proximally through
the cylinder relocating the body entering conduit fully within the
interior of the cylinder. The body entering conduit and piston are
locked in place by a member for a tapering cam on the exterior of
the piston and retainers on the interior of the cylinder. The
distal end of cylinder is then frictionally engaged in the syringe
cap as it awaits on a plane surface thereby rendering the body
entering conduit permanently irretrievable and the cylinder
aperture safely locked closed.
Inventors: |
Stevenson-Michener; Deborah G.
C. (Southbury, CT) |
Family
ID: |
23983190 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/498,957 |
Filed: |
March 26, 1990 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/110; 604/218;
604/195 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
5/50 (20130101); A61M 5/322 (20130101); A61M
2005/3104 (20130101); A61M 5/31501 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
5/50 (20060101); A61M 5/32 (20060101); A61M
5/31 (20060101); A61M 5/315 (20060101); A61M
005/50 () |
Field of
Search: |
;604/110,194-196,218,207-211 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Yasko; John D.
Assistant Examiner: Cermak; Adam J.
Claims
What is claimed as invention is:
1. A syringe apparatus which comprises:
a) a substantially cylindrical hollow barrel portion herein
described as cylinder having a substantially closed distal end and
an open proximal end and having flange shoulder portions extending
outwardly form the cylinder surface at the proximal end as a
gripping means;
b) a body entering conduit at least partially contained within said
hollow cylinder portion and at times partially extruding
therefrom;
c) a means for the frictional sealing at the distal end of the
cylinder so that the distal end remains closed after retraction of
the body entering conduit;
d) a piston assembly movable reciprocally and axially through said
cylinder;
e) means for detachably connecting the proximal end of the body
entering conduit to said piston assembly distal end so that when
said conduit and said assembly are connected said piston moves in
unison with said body entering conduit;
f) means for detachably connecting the distal end of the piston
assembly to said proximal end of the body entering conduit so that
when said conduit and said assembly are connected said conduit
moves in unison with said piston;
g) means for anchoring said detachable piston connecting means at
said piston assembly distal end;
h) means for locking the piston assembly and the attached body
entering conduit within the cylinder following retraction of the
body entering conduit within the cylinder by reciprocal and axial
movement thereof, said means comprising a tapering spiral ribbed
cam on the piston;
i) said means for locking the piston assembly and the detachably
connected body entering conduit within the cylinder following
retraction of the body entering conduit within the cylinder further
comprising ribbed retainers on the interior of the cylinder
allowing for only one way, one time use of the syringe apparatus
when engaged with said cam.
2. The syringe apparatus as defined in claim 1, further
comprising:
a cap for said syringe, said cap comprising:
a) a hollow cylindrical portion having a flared, open distal end
and a closed proximal end for mounting said device on a plane
surface;
b) means at the distal end of said cap for frictionally connecting
with the most proximal end of the syringe piston assembly prior to
use of the syringe;
c) means around the circumference of the distal end of the cap for
frictionally connecting with the distal end of the syringe;
d) said cap distal end frictionally connecting means comprising a
plurality of locking tabs around the interior circumference of the
cylindrical cap.
3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said body entering conduit
comprises a means for an aperture at its proximal end;
a. said means detachably connecting with the distal end of the
piston so that the body entering conduit moves in unison with said
piston reciprocally through said syringe cylinder toward the
proximal end of the cylinder such that the conduit extends
completely within the interior of the cylinder.
4. The apparatus in, claim 1 wherein said piston comprises a
hooking means and an attached anchoring device for anchoring said
hooking means at the distal end of said piston;
a. said hooking means detachably connecting with the proximal end
of the body entering conduit so that the conduit moves in unison
with said piston reciprocally through said cylinder toward the
proximal end of the cylinder such that the conduit extends
completely within the interior of the cylinder.
5. A method of retracting a body entering conduit of a syringe
following injection and capping said syringe comprising the
following steps:
a. providing a syringe cap apparatus having a substantially
cylindrical hollow portion with means to attach to and detach from
the proximal end of the syringe piston;
b. detaching said cap;
c. placing said cap on a plane surface awaiting receipt of the
cylinder;
d. providing a syringe apparatus having a substantially cylindrical
hollow barrel portion open at the proximal end and substantially
closed at the distal end;
e. providing a body entering conduit protruding through a sealing
device at the distal end of the cylinder and movable to a retracted
position within the cylinder:
f. providing a piston portion insertable into the hollow of said
cylinder portion and movable within said cylinder;
g. providing a means for engaging the body entering conduit to the
distal end of the piston;
h. inserting said piston portion into said cylinder;
i. preparing said body entering conduit and piston for injecting
fluid to be administered;
j. inserting said body entering conduit into the fluid to be
administered;
k. retracting said piston thus drawing fluid into the area between
said body entering conduit and said piston within the cylinder;
l. inserting the conduit into patient;
m. plunging piston into a position adjacent to body entering
conduit thus forcing said fluid into said patient;
n. withdrawing body entering conduit from patient;
o. engaging devices connecting proximal end of body entering
conduit to distal end of piston;
p. retracting said conduit until entire body entering conduit is
within interior syringe cylinder;
q. engaging means comprising a tapering spiral ribbed cam on said
piston and ribbed retainers on interior cylinder wall as a means
for locking the body entering conduit and piston within the
cylinder;
r. engaging distal end of cylinder to syringe cap by frictional
pressure.
6. The method in claim 5 further comprising the step of disposing
of said apparatus following the retraction of said body entering
conduit into said cylinder and capping of said cylinder.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The apparatus of the present embodiment of the invention relates to
syringes. More particularly, the apparatus of the present
embodiment of the invention relates to syringes having a body
entering conduit which is retractable prior to or after injection,
having a piston movable reciprocally and axially within a cylinder
portion, having a piston locking device and a cap device providing
protection for the aperture for the body entering conduit following
retraction.
2. Prior Art
Syringes are used for the injection or removal of fluent material
for a variety of necessary medical procedures. However, after the
injection procedure is completed, problems may arise as a
consequence of contamination of the needles. By way of example, the
syringe may be used to treat a patient having a communicable
disease. Due to improper disposal of these syringes and/or through
general use or misuse of them, health care workers themselves have
been infected with the diseases they have attempted to treat, such
as AIDS, due to accidental needle strikes. Also, by way of example,
drug users have been able to obtain previously used and infected
syringes. It is known that such syringes have been used in an
illicit capacity thereby furthering the spread of contagious
diseases.
The following U.S. Pat. No. provide examples of syringes having a
needle which may be retracted into the syringe cylinder after
use:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,370; Feb. 14, 1989
U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,484; May 2, 1989
U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,489; May 2, 1989
U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,373; Jun. 6, 1989
Whatever the precise merits, features and advantages of the above
cited references, none of them have the means by which the needle
may be retracted within and shielded by the syringe cylinder by
means of a hooking device, a piston locking device and cylinder
capping device as hereinafter described so as to lessen the number
of accidental needle strikes and the possible spread of disease.
Moreover, with respect to the capping device, little is available
providing free standing, finger protecting syringe cylinder
aperture covering following needle retraction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Disclosed is a disposable syringe and capping device which
overcomes the problems inherent in conventional syringes by
providing health care workers a reliable means of injecting fluent
materials which is safe not only for the patient but also for those
giving the injection. This is accomplished by providing a means to
prevent disease transmission from accidental needle strikes while
also preventing reuse of the needle by drug users.
The apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention solves
the problems of the current state of the art in a simple manner.
What is provided is a syringe apparatus comprising a syringe
cylinder or barrel with an open proximal end and a substantially
closed distal end with a means for frictional sealing at the distal
end. Also provided is a piston adapted for reciprocal and axial
movement through the syringe cylinder having a means for detachable
connection to the proximal end of the body entering conduit by a
means for a hooking device, a body entering conduit projecting from
the distal end of the cylinder with a means for an aperture at the
proximal end as a means for detachable connection to the distal end
of the piston providing for the retraction of the body entering
conduit within the cylinder. Also provided is a means for locking
the piston with the attached retracted body entering conduit within
the cylinder by reciprocal and axial movement of a tapering spiral
ribbed cam on the exterior of the piston and ribbed retainers on
the interior of the cylinder, and a syringe cylinder cap with a
flat closed base at the proximal end and an open distal end for
receiving and frictionally engaging the cylinder following
retraction of the body entering conduit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of a typical 1 cc syringe comprising an example of
the preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section showing the preferred
embodiment of a body entering conduit projecting from the distal
end of the cylinder and the preferred embodiment of the means for
the detachable connection of the conduit to the distal end of the
piston and its anchoring device.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the piston and needle releasable
connection means.
FIG. 2.1. illustrates the operational step of the preferred
embodiment moving the piston axially within the cylinder to engage
the connection of the conduit to the piston.
FIG. 2.2. illustrates the operational step of the preferred
embodiment moving the piston proximally through the cylinder for
retracting the body entering conduit within the cylinder.
FIG. 2.3 illustrates the operational step of the preferred
embodiment moving the piston axially and reciprocally within the
cylinder to engage the piston locking device.
FIG. 2.4 illustrates the operational step of the preferred
embodiment moving the entire syringe unit with the body entering
conduit in the retracted position so that the distal end can be
received and frictionally engaged by the cylinder cap.
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional detail of the means for
the preferred embodiment of the piston locking device.
FIG. 3.1 is a sectional view of the tapering spiral rib cam shown
on line 3.1--3.1 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-section of the preferred embodiment
of the cylinder cap as it is positioned for storage on the proximal
end of the piston prior to use.
FIG. 4A shows an overall view of the preferred embodiment of the
syringe unit with the cylinder cap in place in the stored
position.
FIG. 4B shows an overall view of the preferred embodiment of the
syringe unit with the body entering conduit in the retracted
position and the cylinder cap engaged in the locked position on the
distal end of the cylinder.
All measurements on drawings provided are approximate and intended
only to aid in understanding the drawings. All language in the
drawings similarly is only intended for a better understanding and
not intended as necessary to the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment of the disease control syringe apparatus
having a retractable body entering conduit, piston locking device
and capping device which forms the present invention is best
described while referring to the drawings.
In FIG. 1 there is shown an overall view of one type of syringe, a
typical 1 cc, of which could comprise the preferred embodiment of
the present invention. There is shown a generally cylindrical
barrel or cylinder having an open proximal end and a substantially
closed distal end. The cylinder portion would also comprise flange
shoulder portions extending outwardly from the surface to provide a
gripping means for fingers of the health care workers during use of
the apparatus.
In FIG. 2 a means for frictional sealing of the distal end is
disposed within the distal end of the cylinder. This sealing means
is shown as a self sealing rubber sleeve around the needle. A body
entering conduit is shown in FIG. 2 which extends through the
frictional sealing means for use and is moved proximally through
and out of the sealing means after use. The proximal end of the
body entering conduit is shown having an aperture for reciprocal
connection with the distal end of the piston. Thus, the piston has
a crescent shaped hook element secured in its face for releasably
engaging the eye portion of the syringe needle as suggested in FIG.
2A. As shown the distal end of the piston has a semi-circular means
for releasable connection with the proximal end of the body
entering conduit and a means for anchoring at its more distal end
within the piston this means being shown as a hook anchored into
the plastic plunger shaft, as required.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 3.1 the piston can be locked in place
within the cylinder as a result of twisting the piston relative to
the cylinder as suggested in FIG. 2.3. Formed around the proximal
end of the piston is a tapering spiral cam. Formed around the
interior of the cylinder are retainers used as a means for
reciprocal connection with the tapering cam. Both the piston cam
and the cylinder retainers are shown as formed with a plural
ribbing means allowing for only one way, one time use of the
syringe apparatus when engaged.
FIG. 4 shows the enlarged detail of the interior of the Preferred
embodiment of the syringe cylinder cap. The distal end of the cap
is open to receive the syringe cylinder after conduit use and
retraction and piston locking. The most distal aspect of the cap is
formed to frictionally connect with and snap onto the most proximal
end of the piston prior to use of the syringe apparatus. The
adjacent circumference of the most distal aspect of the cap is
formed to frictionally engage with the distal end of the cylinder
after use of the syringe apparatus also utilizing a means for a
plurality of locking tabs within the cap. The base at the proximal
end of the cap is closed and is formed flat so as to be positioned
freely on a plane surface to await receipt of the distal end of the
cylinder.
FIG. 4B shows the preferred embodiment of the syringe apparatus
prior to use with the syringe cap affixed to the proximal end of
the piston on the thumb of the plunger.
FIG. 4B shows the preferred embodiment of the syringe apparatus
with the body entering conduit in the retracted position, the
piston in the locked position and the syringe cap engaged at the
distal end of the cylinder.
FIG. 2.1., FIG. 2.2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate the operational
use of the preferred embodiment of the syringe apparatus. FIG. 2.1.
shows the rotational movement of the piston within the cylinder to
engage the means for connection at the distal end of the piston and
the proximal end of the body entering conduit following injection
of the fluent material. This is done by twisting the plunger to
hook the eye of needle FIG. 2.2 shows the piston and engaged body
entering conduit being moved toward the proximal end of the
cylinder until the conduit is completely retracted inside the
cylinder and the means for sealing the distal end of the cylinder
has been activated. FIG. 3 shows the piston being rotationally
moved so that the means for the piston tapering cam and the
interior cylinder retainers are engaged locking the shaft and the
body entering conduit irretrievably within the cylinder. FIG. 4B
shows the insertion of the locked cylinder into the distal end of
the syringe cap frictionally engaging its locking means and
rendering the syringe apparatus safe for handling and disposal.
It will be apparent that while a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been shown and described, various modifications and
changes may be made without departing from the true spirit and
scope of the invention. It is to be understood, then, that the
details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a
limiting sense.
* * * * *